What started as an argument between neighbors ended with one man dead and another seriously injured.
John Gaines died after he was shot Tuesday night on the 4300 block of 7th Street SE, police said. He was 53. A second man was shot several times and was rushed to a hospital in critical condition.
The men are thought to have argued and shot at each other, D.C. police chief Peter Newsham told News4.
"It appears right now that was a neighbor dispute," he said.
Sources told News4 they lived right next door to each other. It wasn't clear what sparked the conflict.
The men lived in an apartment complex on the 4300 block of 7th Street SE, near the border with Oxon Hill, Maryland. Neighbors heard gunfire after sunset Tuesday. When they looked out, they saw two men lying outside.
First responders arrived about 7:50 p.m. and found the two men. Gaines had one gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead. The second man had multiple gunshot wounds and was taken to a hospital.
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
Neither neighbors nor Gaines' daughter could point to any arguments or even disagreements between the men.
Gaines is being remembered as friendly and hardworking.
"He was very family-oriented," his daughter, Johnetta Gaines said. "He lived his life to the fullest."
A homicide investigation is underway. Anyone with information on the crime is asked to call police at 202-727-9099 or send a text message to 50411. A reward of as much as $25,000 is offered.
